English Composition - Essay Example

I grew up in a household where new ideas were accommo d. However, I used to think that homosexuality was something unnatural. I might have picked up this notion from school where students with homosexual orientation were considered ‘weirdoes’ and good kids were supposed keep themselves away from them. I got to know about gay marriages when our neighboring apartment was occupied by a gay couple, who were legally married. At first, the idea seemed ludicrous to me, but as time passed I came to know of the real issues of sexuality and marriage.

With the help of my broadminded parents and real life experiences, my antagonistic attitude to homosexuality and gay marriages has changed altogether. Now I understand that gay marriages are to be considered an essential human rights issue. It could raise the social statues and economic stability of the sexual minority of gays and lesbians. The civil rights aspect of it stems from the question of equality for all individuals. Homosexuals have to be treated on an equal basis in the socio-cultural sphere, and be provided equal opportunities to participate in all possible areas of public domain.

The narrow-minded arguments against it by religious sects and homophobes have to be addressed and disproved so as to defend the basic rights of homosexuals. One may need to redefine the parameters of family structure to accommodate gay marriages, but that will only strengthen the possibilities of tackling the issues of dissent in the general social structure. A few of the controversial issues related to gay marriages have to be addressed and analyzed to make this view clear. The real reasons behind the arguments against gay marriages go deeper to the levels of ignorance and lack of proper understanding among human beings.

Many are misinformed regarding the nature of gay relationships and consider it as something entirely different from heterosexual relationships. Gay relationships are often perceived to be all about sex, but that is hardly the issue. The reality is that homosexuality is based on mutual attraction, love and affection, very much like in the case of heterosexuality. If the commonly held misconceptions regarding gay relationships can be eradicated, the prospect of gay marriages can be understood clearly.

The false presumption that a marriage can take place only between a man and woman has to be uprooted. Nor does one have to fall for the argument that the basic purpose of marriage is procreation. The element of immorality attached to gay relationships is also baseless. All these and many more prejudices are the outcome of a myopic and reductive visions and conclusions. The view that homosexuality is unnatural sexual behavior is baseless. The major argument raised by those who propagated this view was that homosexuality was against the order of nature.

The examples they drew from animal behavior is now proven wrong. Recent research shows that there is widespread practice of same sex relationships among animals. There are instances of same sex couples that deny a heterosexual partner even in times of heat. They could even raise orphans and act as parents in a successful manner. My life experiences have taught me that the prejudices that exist in modern times regarding gay marriages are the result of ignorance regarding the issue. Those who argue against gay marriages are often repressed and unable to see the larger picture.

The religious reservations on gay marriages betray the social structure in which religions survive. They try to propagate the specific religious power structure that promotes socio-economic superstructure that forms their existence. Homophobes spread baseless prejudices regarding homosexuality so as to defend their own repressed sexual status. Proper research and analyses are apt to legitimize gay marriages as a choice for those who need to sanction their long-term homosexual relationships.